The events that unfolded next at a store on the 800 block of South Broad Street on Saturday afternoon led cops on a manhunt for Garcia, which ended quickly due to the public’s help.

As the 29-year-old clerk was rinsing out a glass of water, Garcia entered the bathroom and physically and sexually assaulted her, leaving her bound, Trenton Police Director Ernest Parrey detailed Monday at a press conference.

The police director said Garcia, 54, identified himself as a cop to the female employee after entering the store and displayed a badge around his neck, while toting a small handheld radio. She also observed the handle of a handgun when he lifted his shirt in the waistband of his pants, police said.

Advertisement

As Garcia — only identified by police as a local with several addresses — left the bathroom, a witness entered the store and questioned his presence.

Dressed as a plain-clothes officer, Garcia then allegedly flashed the badge and told the witness he was responding to a report of a theft.

“Unbeknownst to Garcia, the witness was in fact recording Mr. Garcia and managed to get an image of him on video,” Parrey said.

Garcia then left the scene in a tan Toyota Corolla, police said

On Saturday night, police circulated the images of Garcia to the media and calls came flooding in. Tips led police to believe that the alleged rapist was in the West Ward.

Sure enough — while patrolling on bike — Trenton police officer Kenneth Lugo observed an individual fitting the description of Garcia on the Delaware and Raritan Canal Path near Parkside Avenue at approximately 12:40 p.m. on Sunday in the West Ward, and arrested him.

“It should be known that one of the things that the department as well as the city has stressed is the partnership between the Trenton Police Department as well as the community,” Parrey said. “The community was an outstanding asset to this investigation and we can’t thank them enough.”

The victim was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where she was treated for her injuries and a rape kit was administered.

Parrey said police are awaiting test results, and are looking at other cases possibly involving Garcia in Trenton and surrounding municipalities.

The police director noted there have been incidents in the past where people posed as different city department workers to commit burglaries and thefts.

“However, in this case, this takes it to a totally different level,” he said.

Parrey also outlined what residents should do if they find themselves in a similar situation with an individual impersonating a cop.

“If there are any concerns, don’t be lured into an area where you can’t protect yourself,” he said. “Go to your phone, contact 9-1-1. We will always go out and assist.”

Parrey would not disclose if the handgun was recovered, but did say the badge was not authentic.

Defeated mayoral candidate Paul Perez said his volunteers provided information to police about Garcia, who worked on his campaign.

“I just didn’t know him that well,” Perez said Monday. “He tried to work as security for our campaign, and I told him that I didn’t want him.”

Unsuccessful in his attempt to become the city’s first Latino mayor, Perez said he only knew Garcia as Gus.

“He wasn’t a policy maker or anything like that in my campaign,” he said.

Garcia is charged with four counts of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery, terroristic threats, burglary, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and impersonating a police officer. He is being held on $500,000 cash bail.

About the Author

Originally from Webster, N.Y., David has been a reporter in N.J. for the past three years (first in Phillipsburg and now in Trenton).He is a Temple alum who interned at the Philadelphia Daily News. Reach the author at dfoster@trentonian.com
.